John Bates serves as the lead pastor of Freedom church in Waxahachie, TX. John has been in active ministry in multiple capacities since 1986. After serving in various church staff positions, he held a ten-year pastorate in Corsicana, Texas before becoming lead pastor of Freedom Fellowship International in 2003. In addition, he has a heart for the nations to see the world impacted with the gospel. Traveling to foreign countries for evangelistic work has been a constant in John’s life. He has conducted ministry in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, South America, and the Caribbean. He has now been to 54 nations and has planted 9 churches located in Egypt and Honduras. He is a graduate of Southwestern A/G University and has done additional Master’s studies at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and A/G Theological Seminary. As an author, he has recently written his third book, “Inner Hearing”, which helps people hear God with greater clarity. John is married to his lovely wife Shelli and has two